Rain and Blossoms

Today I rode home in the pouring rain and it was beautiful. There were rivers of blossoms running down the streets and paths as I weaved my way through puddles and into the woods. My senses were on overload and I couldn't help but smile. In the woods I was drenched, but happy as could be. It was warm and it feels like spring in Portland. Cars splashed by or sat in traffic oblivious to me or my mood. Pink, white, yellow and new green were everywhere with me and around me. It all blurred together as I stood up on the pedals in the woods and hammered through the winding path. The rain soaked through my shoes and and pooled around my toes as I descended hills, squinted, and ducked my head to see the road. I felt the rain creep down my neck and back and soak through my shirt. Water dripped from helmet and into my face as I rode...all the while I smiled, even when I stepped into the shower and watched as the blossoms washed down the drain.

PDX is amazing...

It's been sunny and spring-like here all weekend...we sat out and drank beers soaking in this view on Fri, followed by hanging out in the sun drinking too much sat and a little road race today. Everything is blooming and I seriously need to mow my lawn...

Mint tea and
Listening to Joe Purdy

Thursday Commute

Took the scenic route home from school today...it was nice to get up into the hills and out of town...

I like this little satellite shot...shows the nicest part of the ride.

Listened to some LCD sound system...Off to get some Thai food.

A weekend in photos...

I know, I know...I just said I wanted to do more writing...but not this kind of writing, and not tonight...I'm extra tired.





There's my weekend...Just throw in some tacos, burritos, coffee, homework, cleaning, and an early dark morning...That's my weekend.

Writing...

So we have been talking a lot about writing lately in my graduate classes. I don't teach English anymore, but my work with film classes has taught me that many of the elements of a good writing class can be applied to film. We have been talking about being authentic, having a voice in your writing, and being a writer. I feel like this blog is sometimes just a report of my weekend...nothing wrong with that, but I want to do some writing too...Not that I have time, but I want to try and write more, and put down some more real writing on here. If I am going to ask my students to write, produce projects that are authentic, put themselves out there, I should do the same.

Here is some writing I worked on recently...I am going to try and get more on here...Feel free to let me know what you think.

Chasing Orion:
The clouds this morning were pushed slowly over the coast range somewhere in the night, “a marine layer” they say. It will burn off soon, but this morning my ride is grey and cool. Each ride is unique and has its own feeling, its own mood. On mornings such as these I ride slow, take my time to look at the sleepy houses I roll by, study stars through breaks in the clouds, and watch the coast range come in and out of view through the trees as I roll west.
During the winter it’s another story. Dark and wet are with these rides perpetually. Commuting by bike during January and February in Portland, OR is a unique experience. Each winter morning I put on my armor…layers of capalene, shells, gloves, booties, an array of bike gear, and toss my bag over my shoulder. I have my last sip of strong coffee and step into the darkness. On the rare morning that it is clear I step out of the garage to see Orion on the horizon at the end of my driveway. I imagine that he has been waiting for me, he taunts me to give chase. Knowing full well that I can’t catch him I begin the pursuit. He is with me on my ride, through neighborhoods, into trails, along the creek, up hills full of traffic, and he manages to stay just ahead as I sprint the last 300yds to work. Even on mornings when I wake up to the sound of rain battering the windows and wind in the tall pines behind the house I imagine he is there. And he is, somewhere above he sends his ancient light down onto the clouds and beneath there is me. Sometimes I am him, looking down from above. I see myself darting though rain drenched streets and trails, sending up a spray behind me as I go.
On mornings when its raining hardest, when you have to squint and put your head down to bare the force of the storm, commuters pass each other with a silent nod and if its really raining sometimes a raised fist. After the first 2 or 3 minutes water fills my shoes. Soon grime from the road is in my eyes and my gloves soak through. It is mornings like these that I most enjoy my ride, not so much during the ride, but when I pull up to my classroom, hang wet gear behind my desk, get a shower, some dark coffee, and begin my day. If students or co-workers ask me with raised eyebrows “you ride today?” I smile politely back and tell them “sure did, it was great”.

Sunny Snow, Banana Belt...Tired and Sore

Yep, I know it's Wed, but it's been a little crazy with finals this week, school work, some job offers, and well it's been too damn nice out in Portland to be sitting near this computer. Sunny, warm and feeling like it's spring...There are trees blooming, flowers coming up, and it's staying light a lot longer. I had to drive to work Mon, but it was soooo nice out that when I got home I had to immeaditely get on the bike...it was about sunset, but I rode up to the track and had the place to myself...did laps for a while and watched the sunset from the corners as I dove in and out of em...sweet!

So we moved slow to the mountain this past weekend, slept late-ish, made an espresso shot, stopped for donuts, but it was more than worth it to haul up to the mountain. It was a lazy day of skiing, sitting in the sun, and eating good food. Stopped in Parkdale for some beer and fondue...damn that is an amazing view.

I'm pretty sure I fell sound asleep on the ride back into town...then took a nap when I got home.

Banana Belt was interesting...whole different ball game than Cherry Pie...I had upgraded to cat 4 and instead of an easy 26miles for cherry pie, it was a much more intense pace and 44 miles. I still felt strong, but I didn't have much left in the end...I ended up staying in the peleton for the finish but couldn't really get around anyone. My teammate Garren went off the front early on and right before a crash going into a corner, managed to get a good gap, but then slipped back into the group...I wish we had been organized enough to get to the front and block...we'll need to talk some strategy for this weekend.

Crazy week of school, Gotta decide what I am doing this summer...soon! Shit time for Lost.

Tired

Up at 4:30 am...2 hour phone interview.
Rush to district offices...Meetings all day, barely make it in time.
Back to school...endless e mails, and notes from the sub....Leave school 4:30
Home briefly...
Uma kicks my ass at some Yoga...
Home...Dinner
Take out the Garbage
Bed 10pm

SWEET!

It's March. Yesterday I rode to school in the snow...I was covered in slush and ice by the time I got to school. Skiing and Banana Belt on tap this weekend.


Gonna fall asleep to:
M. Ward